THE LAND OF THE AFTER-GLOW. TAT

“Pull them up, Twigtwister; they will serve
to light thy fire for to-morrow’s meal,” said the
little gray man.

Twigtwister stepped up to the forest, and,
stooping over one of the tallest pines, grasped
it with both hands, and with all his strength,
as a child would uproot a weed, twisted it
from side to side. Slowly the earth about the
huge tree loosened, and fissures appeared
above the long roots. Still the giant twisted,
and soon the large roots appeared above the
ground. Gradually the giant straightened his
tall form, and, as he stood upright, he held in
his hand the great tree with its trailing roots.

One after another of the huge pines did
Twigtwister uproot, until not one was left, and
a great pile of trees and roots towered beside
him.

“A goodly handful of twigs hast thou for
thy fire,” remarked the little gray man.

“ Swiftstepper,” commanded once more the
little gray man, “come hither.”

“Here, master,” answered that giant as he
came forward.

“Step over to yon cranberry bog and bring
to me the little maid thou wilt find there; and